Training
The choice of school and education is
strongly related to the social class to which you
belong. There are both state and private schools. A
change that has occurred in recent years is that a
number of new alternatives have emerged within the state
system, which are partly financed by private actors.
Compulsory school is compulsory for children between
the ages of 5 and 16 (in England there is a formal
compulsory schooling until the pupil reaches the age of
18). In Northern Ireland, children start school at the
age of 4. The exams that most students take at the age
of 16 qualify for a more advanced education. After
another two years of study, a degree corresponding to
the student's degree is normally taken.
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Allcitypopulation: Offers a list of biggest cities in the state of
United Kingdom, including the capital city which hosts major colleges and
universities.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of United Kingdom, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
One problem is that thousands of 16- to 18-year-olds
leave school early. Almost 9 percent of all British
boys between the ages of 15 and 19 do not attend school
or work.
Upper-class and middle-class children often attend
private schools (some of which are boarding schools)
funded by parents. However, most British children attend
state schools controlled by local authorities. In
England and Wales, there are now almost 7,000 schools,
within the state system, run by religious communities.
Until 1997, there were only Christian and Jewish
schools, but since then a number of Muslim, Sikh and
Hindu schools have also been started.
Some schools, academies, receive sponsorship money
from, among others, business, churches and others, and
are more independent than other state schools, including
in terms of curricula and teacher salaries. The first
academies were started under Labour's rule in 1997–2010,
but later bourgeois governments continued to expand the
system, which was inspired by Swedish free schools.
Unlike in Sweden, they must not be profitable.
In addition, there are just over 230 grammar schools,
which aim to prepare students for higher education. We
have also invested in vocational training through an
apprenticeship program.
In Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic children
usually attend various schools, most of which are funded
by the state.
Higher education
There are more than 150 universities, of which the
most famous are Oxford and Cambridge, and colleges. For
a long time there has been a lively debate about social
recruitment to the universities.
Fees were introduced at the universities in the
1990s, and have been gradually increased, despite
student protests. Scottish students do not have to pay
any fees at all as long as they study at a university in
their own region. However, students from other parts of
the UK have to pay to study at a Scottish university,
but so far this does not apply to students from other EU
countries.
When the Times Higher Education World University
Rankings listed the world's top universities in 2017,
Oxford and Cambridge ended up in first and second place
for the first time. Even three universities in London
ended up high on the list, then there was a gap down to
the other British universities. Among other things, they
are faced with problems regarding the quality of
teaching and growing debt for the students. Before the
Brexit, there were also fewer EU students who wanted to
study at British universities, which also began to find
it harder to retain staff from other EU countries.
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
school
99.7 percent (2016)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
school
15 (2016)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
13.9 percent (2016)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
13.9 percent (2016)
2017
December
May's closest man is forced to step down
December 21
Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green is forced to resign from his post after
being found lying about pornographic material found on his computer. In
connection with the Metoo campaign, Green has also been accused of abusing a
female journalist. May and Green are old friends and have worked together for
many years. May states that she is "extremely sorry" for having to leave Green.
It is the second time in two months that a minister is forced to leave the
government, which undermines May's already fragile position.
Majority wants Britain to remain in the EU
December 17
51 percent of Britons want to stay in the EU, according to an opinion poll
published in Independent. 41 percent of the more than 1500 people surveyed say
they support continued Brexit, while seven percent say they do not know how they
want it.
May setback in the lower house
13th of December
The government and Prime Minister May suffer a defeat in the lower house,
when eleven Conservative members choose to vote with the opposition, and one
casts their vote. With the vote numbers 309 for and 305 against, the lower house
approved a legislative amendment to the UK Withdrawal Bill, which allows MPs to
vote on the final agreement between the UK and the EU. This is the first time
May loses a vote in the House of Commons since she became Prime Minister in
2016. The Conservative members who opposed the government hope that through this
they will be able to exert a greater influence on what a final EU-UK agreement
looks like.
Breakthrough in Brexit negotiations
December 8
Theresa May and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announce a
breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. The parties have now agreed that there
should be no "hard border" between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Arlene Foster,
leader of the DUP, who has opposed all special solutions for Northern Ireland,
expresses his appreciation that there will be no new "red border" in the sea
between Northern Ireland and the UK mainland, however, exceptions can be made if
the Northern Ireland Parliament, Stormont, agree to it. May also promises to
comply with the agreements made in the 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Agreement.
The UK Government and the EU have also agreed on the conditions to apply to EU
citizens living, working or studying in the UK and vice versa. In the first
instance, British courts should ensure that the rights of EU citizens are
respected, but uncertain cases will be decided by the European Court of Justice
for a transitional period of eight years. Another point is about how much money
the UK should pay to the EU (British media indicates various sums between £ 35
and 50 billion) and that the UK should continue to contribute money to the EU
budget at least until 2020. May
emphasizes that the settlement is "fair to British taxpayers". The settlement
may also be approved at the Brussels Summit a few days later.
The border issue difficult in the Brexit negotiations
December 4th
Prime Minister May travels to Brussels for Brexit talks with the EU.
Initially, it appears that the parties are well on their way to agreeing a
settlement. But May is allowed to go home without reaching the breakthrough she
hoped for. It is the question of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland
that is most difficult. Data leaked about a special solution for Northern
Ireland, which however, DUP leader Arlene Foster refuses to agree (at the same
time as her party opposes a "hard border" between the British province and
Northern Ireland), as they fear it could be a first step towards Northern
Ireland becoming part of the Republic of Ireland. But the opposition comes not
only from the DUP, but also from forces within the Conservative Party that want
a "hard Brexit". The border issue needs to be resolved in order for the UK to
start negotiating trade issues. However, the idea of a deal in which Northern
Ireland would in practice continue to be part of the common market and the EU
Customs Union risks creating new conflicts in British politics, as both the
Scottish Government, the Welsh Minister and the London mayor plead for similar
Special solutions should also be created for them.
Immigration from EU countries is decreasing
1 December
Immigration to the UK has decreased following the Brexit vote. According to
new figures from the ONS statistics authority, 80,000 fewer people moved to the
UK from June 2016 to June 2017, compared to the same period the year before. The
decrease is mainly due to fewer EU citizens moving to the country (see
Population and languages).
"No simple solution to the border issue"
1 December
There is no simple solution to the border issue between Ireland and Northern
Ireland. A report by the Parliamentary Committee, Exiting the European Union
Committee, states. It does not seem to believe in the proposals that
technological and innovative solutions should be able to avoid creating a hard
land border between the countries. Ireland wants goods and services to be freely
transported back and forth between the Northern Ireland border without any
border controls being established, which would in effect mean that the UK
province would remain in the EU Customs Union and the common market.
November
May criticizes Trump for anti-Muslim tweet
November 30
Prime Minister Theresa May criticizes US President Donald Trump for
retweeting anti-Muslim video footage from a British right-wing extremist group
Britain First. May emphasizes that the fact that the UK and the US have their
"special relationship" does not mean that one cannot criticize each other. Trump
is tweeting that May, instead of targeting him, should concentrate on tackling
radical Islamist terrorism in the UK.
"Britain may pay more for Brexit"
November 21st
Supporters of Brexit within the government have agreed that Britain should
offer the EU more money in connection with leaving the Union. However, no formal
offer will be made until the EU agrees to start talks on a new trade agreement
with the British. It is not known how much money you are willing to offer to the
EU, but a figure mentioned is £ 40 billion, that is twice as much as the UK has
so far offered. Later, even higher sums are discussed and there are signals that
a settlement may be close at this point.
Gerry Adams retires as Sinn Féin leader 2018
November 18
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams announces that he plans to step down as party
leader next year. He also announces that he does not intend to run for
re-election to the Irish Parliament. Adams has played an important role in the
Northern Ireland peace process. It is widely believed that he has played a
leading role in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), something he himself denies.
Brexit laws under debate
November 14
The lower house initiates an eight-day debate on legislation before the
Brexit (European Union (Withdrawal) Bill). The first day goes by without causing
any major problems for the government, although the debate is sometimes
conducted in a high tone. The bill to demolish the agreement that underlies the
British EU membership (European Communities Act) of 1972 is adopted with the
votes 318 for and 68 against. A proposal that Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland should have the right to veto the process is rejected (with 318 votes in
favor and 52 against).
May criticizes Russia
November 14
In a number of sharp criticisms, Theresa May addresses Russia, which,
according to her, interferes in elections, engages in cyber espionage and
violates European countries' airspace in order to "undermine free societies".
However, she stresses that Russia can be an important partner if Putin's regime
"plays by the rules". However, high-ranking Russian politicians reject the
accusations. Earlier in November, British media wrote about how Russian actors
used Twitter to influence voters ahead of the Brexit vote in 2016 and to spread
racist messages. According to an article in The Observer, there were also
Russian links to people within the Conservative party, including through a group
called Russia's Conservative Friends (Conservative Friends of Russia). In the
Financial Times However, it was pointed out that the Russian attempts to
influence the Brexit vote had no decisive impact on the election result. Other
observers point out that the purpose was not primarily to try to persuade the
British to vote for an EU exit, but to create a divide in society.
London presents budget for Northern Ireland
November 13
Northern Ireland Minister James Brokenshire has prepared a budget for the
province. He also says that the local authorities will soon have no money unless
the budget is adopted. The budget items are estimated at just over 3 percent,
but an extra investment is made in healthcare. Most of the more than £ 1 billion
promised by the DUP in exchange for its support to the Conservative government
is not included in the new budget. However, Brokenshire says £ 50 million, which
will go towards health care and education, will be paid out in the current
financial year. Brokenshire is taking action because DUP and Sinn Féin could not
agree on a new government. However, it is seen as a first step in which power
over Northern Ireland is taken over by the London government.
Davis promises that Parliament will vote on a Brexit agreement
November 13
Brexit Minister David Davis promises Parliament to vote on a Brexit agreement
before the UK leaves the EU. It will thus have the opportunity to debate, review
and propose changes to it or reject it entirely. The promise is seen as an
attempt to appease critics within his own Conservative party and Labor members.
Conservative members demand May's departure
November 11
According to media reports, 40 Conservative MPs must have signed a letter
demanding that Prime Minister May resign. Only eight people are needed to cast a
vote on who will lead the Conservative Party. According to media reports,
Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and Environment Minister Michael Gove are now
cooperating again. In a letter to May, which leaked to the press, they will be
pressing to push through a severe Brexit in the negotiations with the EU and
reduce the influence of other government members who want a softer line in the
negotiations.
The British government is planning a Brexit date law
November 9
The UK government says it will legislate when Britain leaves the EU. It sets
the date for March 29, 2019. This is seen as an attempt to calm the Brexit
advocates who are worried that the process is going so slow and that the
government can change its foot in the meantime.
The EU demands answers from the UK in the Brexit negotiations
November 9
EU negotiators are putting pressure on Britain in the Brexit negotiations.
The British government is given two weeks to clarify its position on how much
money Britain should pay for the divorce from the EU. The EU has previously said
that the bill should amount to EUR 60 billion, while the British say they are
willing to pay EUR 25 billion. The question of what happens to the border
between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the conditions for EU citizens living
in the UK (and Britons residing in other parts of the EU) are other breaking
issues that have not yet been resolved. Brexit Minister David Davis claims that
progress is being made behind the scenes.
Deputy Minister Patel resigns
November 8
Deputy Foreign Minister Priti Patel resigns after revealing that she met with
leading politicians and businessmen during her vacation in Israel this summer,
without informing the Foreign Ministry. According to the protocol, a minister
must also be accompanied by an official on such visits and, if they have
meetings on the Israeli side, this is usually balanced with similar
conversations with Palestinian representatives. According to British media,
Patel, who is pleading for a hard Brexit, may create problems for the prime
minister when she is no longer part of the government. Patel is popular within
the Conservative Party. At the same time, Foreign Minister Boris Johnson is in
blustery weather after saying that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was jailed in
2016 during a vacation trip to Iran, taught journalists during his stay there.
According to sources cited in the British media, she thus risks having her
sentence doubled. Zaghari-Ratcliffe has previously been sentenced to five years
in prison. However, it is unclear what she has been convicted of.
Politician and Queen Elizabeth Highlighted in "Paradise Leak"
November 5
Several leading Britons are highlighted in the so-called Paradise Leak, where
13.4 million documents leaked to the media and reveal business done through
so-called tax havens. Among those selected are Lord Ashcroft, former Deputy
Leader of the Conservative Party and now one of the Tory Party's main
contributors. He is reported to have transferred assets in millions of pounds to
the Punta Gorda Trust in Bermuda in 2000, and on numerous occasions bypassed the
applicable rules. The Queen's private money has also been invested in Bermuda
and the Cayman Islands. That in itself is not a crime, but the media is
questioned about the real thing in having a royal place his money in a tax
haven.
Tories announce code of conduct against sexual harassment
November 4th
Prime Minister Theresa May announces a code of conduct for all Conservative
MPs and party officials, which was previously missing. This is done after
several conservative politicians have been accused, among other things, of
having committed sexual harassment. In addition to the departure of Defense
Minister Fallon earlier this month, a member of parliament has been suspended
from the party and reported to the police. However, nothing is said about what
he has been accused of. There is also information that pornographic material was
found on Damian Green's computer in Parliament. Green holds the second highest
position in the government after Prime Minister May. Accusations have also been
made against Labor politicians. At least two Labor members have been suspended
from the party, and another is being investigated following allegations of
sexual harassment, and Labor has updated its code of conduct. The politician
accused of sexual harassment is released in December by the party. Several of
the designated politicians deny that they have done anything wrong. According to
media reports, people who have previously tried to report misconduct or abuse
have been met with disinterest or asked to look to the parties' best interests.
Locked location in Northern Ireland
November 3
Negotiations between the Northern Ireland parties DUP and Sinn Féin break
down again, despite several extended deadlines. This means that Northern Ireland
has been without a provincial government for almost ten months. The British
government seems reluctant to take over the province, but Northern Ireland's
James Brokenshire says he will submit a budget to Northern Ireland within eleven
days. He also emphasizes that he will withdraw it if the parties can agree on a
new government by December. The big question between the parties is about a law
on the status of the Irish in Northern Ireland.
Defense Minister Fallon resigns
November 1st
Defense Minister Michael Fallon resigns after allegations of sexual
harassment. This follows the so-called #metoo campaign, in which women, and men,
testified in social media about sexual abuse and harassment. Other leading
politicians have also been singled out as having acted inappropriately. Labor
has shut down a member of parliament accused of harassing a party activist.
Through Fallon's departure, Theresa May loses one of her most experienced
ministers. He is replaced on November 2 by Gavin Williamson.
October
May promises ceilings for energy prices and investment in cheap housing
October 4th
Prime Minister May ends the Conservative Party's conference with a speech
where she promises a ceiling for how high energy prices may be. Many UK
households are struggling to pay ever higher electricity and gas bills, and
their energy costs have doubled in ten years. Another promise is that more
houses, at affordable prices, will be built under public auspices. May promises
£ 2 billion for the project, which is largely targeted at many young Britons who
have difficulty entering the housing market. These are proposals that originally
came from Labor.
September
Henry Bolton is elected new leader of Ukip
September 29th
British Independence Party Ukip elects Henry Bolton as new party leader. He
is a former soldier and police officer who was previously active in the Liberal
Democrats. In second place came the hostile Anne Marie Waters. Several Ukip
members had threatened to leave the party if she was appointed leader. Bolton
becomes Ukip's fourth party leader in just over a year.
Pragmatic May in a new Brexit game
September 22
Theresa May shows a more pragmatic side when she gives a talk on British
Brexit policy in Florence. She clearly states that a transition period will be
needed after the EU and the UK have concluded their exit negotiations, where the
British will continue to contribute to the EU budget, allow free movement and
accept the ruling in the European Court for perhaps two years. She thus backs
from a previous statement that no agreement is better than a bad agreement. May
also says the UK is prepared to pay € 20 billion to cover the gaps in EU
finances, however, the question is whether the EU thinks the sum is large
enough. At the same time, statistics from the Home Office show a threefold
increase in the number of EU citizens (from the states that became members
before 2014) applying for British citizenship, from 4,500 from June 2015 to June
2016 to 14,000 in the same period a year later. To become a citizen one must
have lived permanently in the country for five years, pass a language test and a
test with questions about culture and society.
May requires IT companies to erase terror material at a faster rate
September 20
Theresa May puts pressure on IT companies to intervene more quickly to remove
terrorist-linked material from their pages. The British Prime Minister wants
them to voluntarily agree to do this within two hours. Otherwise, she would like
to legislate on the matter. Some evaluators point out that it is not always
about lack of will on the part of the network companies, but the difficulty is
to a large extent that it is about so many quantities of material that it is
difficult to quickly get an overview.
The exit law creates concern in Scotland and Wales
September 20
In Scotland and Wales there is growing concern that Brexit means they will
lose some of the powers they have today. It is primarily about the
responsibility for agriculture, fisheries, the environment and other things that
lie with the parliaments in Edinburgh and Cardiff since 1999, but where what is
decided in Brussels is of great importance. The question is where power comes
when the UK leaves the EU. As the exit law looks today, there are no guarantees
that the UK Government must take Scotland and Wales into account. Prime
Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones describe their concerns in a joint
letter to Prime Minister May and demand that changes be made to it. At the same
time, the letter is a sign of the low level of trust between London and the
governments of Scotland and Wales. The latter have criticized the British
government for not giving them enough room in the Brexit process. Nor have they
been reassured by promises that Edinburgh and Cardiff should retain the powers
they have today.
Britain lowers security level
September 17th
Since two young men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorist attacks in
London earlier in September, the authorities are again reducing the level of
security from critical to serious. The home-made bomb that the men manufactured
and placed on a subway did not explode as intended, limiting the damage, but
nearly 30 people are treated for burns, among other things. Later, four more
people are arrested on suspicion of involvement in the act.
Twenty injured in terrorist attack in London's subway
September 15th
At least 29 people are injured when an explosive charge explodes on a crowded
subway train in south-west London. According to police, who suspect it is a
terrorist act, it is a home-made bomb that exploded. None of those taken to
hospitals should have received life-threatening injuries. The Islamic State
terrorist organization (IS) is to blame for the act. Britain raises the level of
security in the country from serious to critical, which means the authorities
fear that a new terrorist attack may be imminent.
The lower house approves proposals for exit teams
September 12
The government's proposal for an exit law, which will enable the UK's range
from the EU, is approved by the lower house with the 326 votes for and 290
against (a first step in the process of adopting a new law). Labor sharply
criticizes the law, which the party believes gives ministers great powers.
Withdrawal Act, European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, means that all EU laws are
converted into UK law on the day the country leaves the Union, so that there are
no gaps in the legislation. The criticism is, above all, that ministers are
given the right to make certain changes to the legislation without consulting
Parliament. The government claims that the law is needed to make the exit from
the Union as smooth as possible. In addition to Labor, SNP also votes against
the bill. However, seven Labor members go against the party line and vote yes.
All Conservative members vote in favor of the government's proposal, but several
of them call for sweeping amendments to support it in a second vote. The
withdrawal law shall also cease the law of 1972 in which the United Kingdom
joined the then EC.
Leaked Brexit proposal receives criticism from the business community
September 6
Documents leaked to the media from the Home Office indicate that the British
government is planning measures to restrict the immigration of low-skilled
workers from EU countries. According to the proposal, UK companies would be
required to hire local staff if they could not prove that it was financially
necessary to employ people from other EU countries and those who will be granted
temporary work permits. The data draws strong criticism from companies operating
in the agricultural and hospitality industries who say it would have disastrous
consequences for them. Almost one in three employees in the food industry come
from another EU country, about one in five in the hotel industry and almost as
many in agriculture.
London puts pressure on the Northern Ireland parties
September 4th
Northern Ireland Minister James Brokenshire warns the Northern Ireland
parties, saying that the time they have for forming a new provincial government
is running out. If no progress is made soon, the London Government will have to
submit its own budget for the coming year.
August
"May's proposal to counteract sky-high executive salaries diluted"
August 29th
When Theresa May took office as Prime Minister in 2016, she went out hard and
promised measures that would prevent British companies from paying sky-high
board fees and managerial salaries and create new rules for employees to sit on
company boards. The measures she is presenting now mean that the largest
companies from June 2018 must report how high managerial salaries are in
relation to the average salaries of the employees and that the companies are
asked to prepare room for employees at the board tables. The proposals receive
criticism, among other things, from the trade union, which considers them to be
too watered down compared to the original proposals.
Labor is swinging in Brexit politics
August 28th
The next phase of Brexit negotiations will begin. The British government's
position is weakened by Labor the day before announcing that the party wants
Britain to remain in the EU Common Market and Customs Union for a transitional
period following the country's cooperation in 2019. Labor spokesman on Brexit
issues that the British economy is too badly damaged in a divorce. Party leader
Corbyn has previously said that in a Brexit, Britain should leave both the
common market and the customs union. Labour's new position leads to new demands
from EU-friendly conservative politicians who are pressing for May to soften its
tough Brexit policy.
May opens compromise on the European Court of Justice
August 23rd
Prime Minister May maintains that the European Court of Justice (European
Court of Justice, ECJ) should have no direct decision-making power over Britain
when leaving the EU. At the same time, the Government is presenting proposals on
how to resolve future conflicts between the British and the EU, which appear to
give the Court indirect influence, including in relation to new trade
agreements. According to the proposal, the European Court of Justice will also
retain some power over the UK during a transitional period. This raises some
criticism from Brexit advocates within May's own party who think it would give
the ECJ too much indirect power. A future dispute may be who should guarantee
the rights of EU citizens residing in the United Kingdom, the European Court of
Justice or the UK courts, and ultimately the Supreme Court.
"No new border checks between Northern Ireland and Ireland"
August 16th
No new border checks should be established between Ireland and Northern
Ireland. That is what the British government is setting for the next
negotiations. No new border posts will be built, nor will any electronic
monitoring (which has been an alternative that has previously been put forward).
Small and medium-sized companies should be exempted from paying any customs
duties. Today, around 30,000 people cross the border between Ireland and the
British province every day. Prime Minister May also says that the British
government is considering new support for various peace projects in Northern
Ireland when the EU money for them disappears. The Irish Government is
cautiously positive about the proposal. The Northern Ireland Unionist parties
DUP and UUP express clear support, while nationalist Sinn Féin expresses
skepticism.
The UK wants a temporary customs union with the EU
August 15th
The UK Government proposes that the UK and the EU 2019 enter into "a
temporary customs union" while the British negotiate new trade agreements,
something that cannot be done as long as the country is part of the Union. The
proposal is met with some skepticism in Brussels.
July
No single charge against Blair
31 July
The High Court says no to an attempt by an Iraqi citizen to bring individual
charges against former Prime Minister Tony Blair for Britain's participation in
the Iraq invasion in 2003. The issue has previously been rejected in a lower
court.
Criticism of the government's plan for post-Brexit legislation
July 13
The government presents a bill that prescribes how it should formally go when
the UK leaves the EU. According to the proposal, around 12,000 European laws and
regulations are to be transposed into British law, at the same time as the
agreement that underlies the British European Union (European Communities Act)
of 1972 is revoked. In addition, the government should be able to make changes
to these laws in conjunction with their transfer to UK law, without Parliament's
full control. This immediately receives criticism from the opposition and
leaders in Scotland and Wales.
Verhofstadt: May's bid for EU citizens "insufficient"
July 10
Guy Verhofstadt, the EU's highest Brexit negotiator, as well as the leaders
of the EU's four major political groups, responds to Prime Minister May's bid
for what applies to non-UK EU citizens located in the UK in connection with
Brexit (see June 2017). EU leaders say that the bid for EU
citizens who have lived in the country for five years to stay and be guaranteed
health care, education and other social benefits, provided that Britons receive
the same rights within the EU, is not at all what the citizens of the Union are
entitled to require. They say that the proposal is inadequate and that it would
create more bureaucratic hassle and greater uncertainty for millions of EU
citizens.
The disposable income of the British is decreasing
July 7
The disposable income of the British is falling, according to new official
statistics. At the beginning of the year, household disposable income had fallen
by 2 percent compared with a year earlier. This is partly due to rising
inflation, higher taxes and lower levels of subsidy. Household savings capital
has also decreased.
Still deadlock in Northern Ireland
July 4th
The talks to establish a new provincial government in Northern Ireland are
ended again without any settlement being reached.
June
The lower house approves the government program
June 29
The lower house adopts the government proposal program presented in the
Queen's speech, with the votes being 323 for and 309 against. A Labor member
Chuka Umunna proposes a change, that the UK should remain within the EU internal
market (which is not his party's official line), but it does not go through. 50
Labor members vote for this and thereby go against the party leadership. After
that, three members are allowed to leave Labour's shadow cabinet, while one
chooses to resign. An important change has been made to the program, which gives
Northern Irish women the right to free abortion in England. In the past, they
had to pay for themselves. Abortion is prohibited in Northern Ireland unless the
woman's life is in danger. The deadline for establishing a new provincial
government in Northern Ireland is expiring. The parties are given another three
days to agree.
A new Scottish referendum is slated for the future
June 27
In a speech in the Scottish Parliament Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon says she
will wait a new referendum until after the Brexit negotiations are ready.
However, she stresses that she believes a new vote can take place before 2021.
Conservative Party settles with DUP
June 26
The settlement between the Conservative Party and the DUP is now complete.
This means Northern Ireland will receive an additional grant of £ 1 billion for
infrastructure investments (£ 400 million), broadband expansion (£ 150 million),
health care (£ 300 million, education (£ 50 million) and special assistance for
vulnerable housing areas (100 Northern Ireland could also cut its corporate tax
rate to 12.5 percent later in the year, that is, the same low level as Ireland.
Government pensions should be increased by at least 2.5 percent a year and
pensioners should be allowed to maintain their fuel surcharge during the winter
The UK will also fulfill its commitments to NATO and invest 2 percent of GDPon
the defense as well as extra support for returning soldiers. Both parties also
pledge to respect the commitments made in the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement.
The intention is that the agreement should last the entire term of five years,
but an evaluation can be made after two years.
British defeat in UN vote
June 22
Britain suffers defeat in a vote in the UN General Assembly, when a majority
of countries vote for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to
be able to advise on the future status of the Chagos Islands. 94 countries are
voting in favor of the resolution tabled by Mauritius. Most of the EU countries
cast their votes. Britain and Mauritius have long had a dispute over the
islands. The vote is seen as a diplomatic defeat for Britain. Since 1971, the UK
has been leasing one of the islands, Diego Garcia, to the United States which
has a military base there. The British have promised to return Chagos to
Mauritius when the base is no longer needed for strategic reasons, but have not
said when to do so. A group of former islanders have been fighting for many
years to get the right to return to Chagos.
The British bid on the rights of EU citizens
June 22
As part of the Brexit negotiations, Prime Minister May presents his bid on
what will happen to EU citizens living in the UK. According to that, those who
have lived in the country for more than five years should be allowed to stay and
also have access to care, education and other benefits. However, May and EU
leaders disagree on whether it should be a British court or the European Court
of Justice to oversee the process. The Brexit decision and uncertainty about
which rules should apply have already affected the labor market. The number of
new nurses from other EU countries has fallen by over 90 percent, according to
The Guardian, from July 2016 until now. Many people who have already worked in
the country have also resigned, which has resulted in 24,000 nursing jobs being
vacant in the public health service, the NHS. 57,000 EU citizens work in the
NHS. The government has said that some of the problems should be solved by
training more nurses in the country. At the same time, reports that fruit and
berry growers have found it difficult to obtain labor from other EU countries.
Brexit issues dominate in a new government program
21 June
The government presents its program for the next two years, in the so-called
Queen's speech. Eight of the 27 items deal with Brexit, including the UK itself
taking control of imports and exports of goods, and preparations to restrict the
free movement of other EU countries (but the UK should continue to attract
qualified labor). It is noted that several proposals that were included in the
Conservative party's election program are missing, such as the elderly paying
more for social care, the needs assessment of those who would receive fuel
supplements for the winter and all proposals relating to pensions.
The Brexit negotiations begin
June 19
The UK and the EU start negotiations on the UK withdrawal from the Union.
At least one death in suspected terrorist attack
June 19
At least one person is killed and eight injured when a van shortly after
midnight drives into people near a mosque in Finsbury Park, London. A
48-year-old man from Wales is arrested on suspicion of the act. According to
Prime Minister May, the incident is considered a "suspected terrorist attack".
Criticism against May after the high-rise fire
17th of June
Prime Minister May invites a group of people who lived in the fire-ravaged
Grenfell Tower high-rise building in London to a meeting in 10 Downing Street.
She also announces that a fund of £ 5 million will be created to assist those
who have become homeless after the fire. Until now, it is mainly churches,
mosques and non-profit organizations that have acted to help them. May has
previously faced sharp criticism for how she has handled the crisis surrounding
the high-rise fire. She is criticized, among other things, for only meeting fire
brigade personnel when she visited the fire scene on June 16. There are many
indications that the fire took such a rapid course, because the material used in
the renovation of the facade was flammable.
Big fire in London 71 lives
June 15
A fire in a high-rise building, Grenfell Tower, in London on June 14,
requires many lives. According to media reports, the residents of the house have
expressed concern about the fire safety, even though the building was newly
renovated. Prime Minister May appoints the day after the investigation to find
out the causes of the fire. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also commands a similar
investigation. Not until November 2017 did police representatives state that the
fire disaster claimed 71 lives. Images from surveillance cameras show that 223
people had managed to escape from the burning building.
Liberal Democrat leaders are retiring
June 14
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron resigns after the election, where the
party did worse than expected. During the electoral movement, Farron, who
belongs to a free church, often pressed himself to express his personal view on
issues of homosexuality and abortion. He says when he announces his departure
that it has been difficult to combine party leadership with the Christian faith.
Gove gets ministerial post in May's new government
June 11
The election loss leads to Theresa May's closest co-workers Nick Timothy and
Fiona Hill resigning, following demands from several of May's party mates. At
the same time, the Prime Minister is taking care to re-furnish in his
government, although there are few changes to the top posts. Philip Hammond,
Boris Johnson and Amber Rudd remain as Finance Minister and Foreign and Home
Affairs respectively. David Davis retains responsibility for Brexit issues. May
The big surprise is that Michael Gove is back as Minister, this time responsible
for the environment.
The Conservative party loses its majority in the lower house
June 9
The Conservative Party backs and loses its majority in the House of Commons,
despite success in Scotland. The party receives 318 seats (all votes are not yet
counted) and just over 42 percent of the vote. Labor is progressing strongly,
landing on 262 seats, 30 more than in the 2015 election, and 40 percent of the
vote. The Liberal Democrats are making a certain recovery, winning 12 seats and
just over 7 percent. In Scotland, the SNP is losing ground, and looks to be
content with 35 seats, compared to 56 seats in 2015. 13 of the Scottish seats go
to the Conservative Party, 12 more than 2015, Labor wins 7 seats, an increase of
6. In Northern Ireland increases both DUP and Sinn Féin, which receive 10 and 7
seats respectively. In Wales, both Labor and the nationalists in Plaid Cymru are
advancing. Ukip makes a lousy choice and loses its sole mandate. Party leader
Paul Nuttall resigns. Both the Social Democratic SDLP and the UUP in Northern
Ireland are losing their seats in Parliament. Theresa May says she intends to
remain as prime minister and intends to form a government with the support of
the DUP. The election result causes the value of the pound to fall against both
the dollar and the euro. The election means that the proportion of women in the
lower house will increase from 191 2015 to 208. 52 members belong to ethnic
minorities,HBTQ -Persons.
New terrorist act in London
June 4th
Seven people were killed and 48 injured in a new terrorist attack in London
on June 3, when a car first mowed down pedestrians on the London Bridge. Then
three assailants attack people with knives in the Bourough district. Offenders
are later shot to death by police. The Islamic State (IS) takes on the blame for
the deed. All parties, except Ukip, temporarily suspend their election
campaigns. In a speech on June 4, Prime Minister May promises tougher grip on
Muslim extremists. She pleads, among other things, for higher penalties even for
less serious terrorist offenses, and demands that IT companies intervene in web
sites used by extremist groups (something several of them say they already do).
May
May: "No agreement is better than a bad deal"
30 May
In a televised debate just a week before the new election, it is clear that
Prime Minister Theresa May and Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn have different
strategies for Britain's exit from the EU. Corbyn says he, if he were the head
of government, would make sure there was an agreement with the EU before the UK
left the union while May states she "is ready to go her way". "No deal is better
than a bad deal," says May. Formal negotiations for the UK's exit are expected
to begin on June 19.
Terrorism in Manchester requires 22 lives
May 22
22 people are killed and even more injured in a suicide attack in Manchester.
The act takes place in conjunction with a concert with American singer Ariana
Grande. Many of the victims are young concert visitors or parents who come to
the arena to fetch their children. The attack is carried out by a British-born
man with Libyan roots. It is unclear if he carried it out on his own or if there
are several perpetrators. The electoral movement is temporarily suspended.
Labor's election manifesto is leaking
May 11
Labor's manifesto ahead of the June elections is leaking and reveals that the
party wants to re-nationalize the railways, raise taxes and borrow large sums
for infrastructure projects. Other important points are about eliminating
university fees, building a million new homes, more money for public health
(NHS), 10,000 new neighborhood policies and the end of the tough austerity
policy. This is to be paid for, among other things, by means of higher corporate
taxes and an increase in income tax for anyone earning more than £ 80,000 a
year. With regard to Brexit, the manifesto distances itself from the line of the
incumbent government, which keeps the door open for Britain to leave the EU,
although no agreement with the EU has been reached. According to the manifesto,
such a measure would "mean the worst possible situation for the UK and damage
our economy".
Andy Burnham new mayor of Manchester
May 4th
Labor politician Andy Burnham wins with clear numbers, 63 percent of the
vote, the mayor's election in Manchester. This is the first time the city has
got a elected mayor.
April
Extended deadline for Northern Ireland parties
April 21
The Government extends the deadline for Northern Ireland parties to reach an
agreement on cooperation until June 29. This is the fourth time that the
deadline has changed.
May announces new elections until June 8
April 18
Prime Minister Theresa May announces unexpected election to Parliament on
June 8. May, who previously stated that no elections would be held before 2020,
now says that elections are "the only way to guarantee stability and security
for years to come". However, many believe that May's decision is based on her
desire to gain legitimacy and strengthen her own position before Britain's exit
from the EU. May is not self-elected but was appointed by her party when her
David Cameron resigned in the summer of 2016.
Johnson cancels Russia visit after gas attack in Syria
April 8
Foreign Minister Boris Johnson cancels a visit to Moscow that would have
taken place on April 10-11. The reason is Russia's continued support for the
Assad regime following the poison gas attack on a village on April 4, which the
government side is accused of.
March
Britain activates Article 50
March 28
The British Government's EU Ambassador submits a letter to the President of
the European Council, Donald Tusk, in which the British Government activates
Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. In doing so, the UK formally starts the exit
process from the EU. Tusk receives the letter with the words: "We already miss
you - there is no reason to pretend this is a good day". The comments from other
European leaders are restrained and emphasize the cohesion of other EU countries
before Brexit. France's president says that leaving the UK is emotionally
painful for Europeans and will be financially painful for the British but "we
have no intention of punishing the UK". German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she
hopes the negotiations will be constructive.
80,000 in protest against Brexit in London
March 25th
Tens of thousands of British march through London in protest of Brexit.
According to the organizers, around 80,000 people participate in the protest.
Britain sends tanks to NATO force in Estonia
March 22
Britain sends 130 tanks to Estonia. The tanks will be transported to the city
of Tapa to join a NATO force consisting of 200 British troops and 50 French
soldiers already in place. The NATO force was created in January 2017.
Terrorist acts outside Westminster
March 22
Four people are killed when a car cuts down pedestrians on the Westminster
Bridge outside Parliament and then drives straight through the fence to the
Parliament building. The driver stabs and kills a police officer who guards
Parliament before he is himself killed by other police officers. About 40 people
are seriously injured. The attacker was born in the UK and his name is known by
the security police but he has not been part of the group that the security
police has supervised. The terrorist group IS states that the perpetrator acted
on its behalf. Following the attack, at least eight people in London and
Birmingham are arrested, suspected of having links to the deed. The government
urges the British not to be intimidated but to return to everyday routines as
soon as possible.
SNP leader Sturgeon plans new referendum in Scotland
the 13th of March
Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that she wants to organize a new
referendum on independence for Scotland. The announcement comes as a result of
the British Parliament giving the government the go-ahead to start Brexit.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May condemns the proposal, saying that a new
vote on independence would "create uncertainty and fragmentation" and disrupt
the exit process.
May ready sign for the Brexit process
the 13th of March
Parliament adopts a bill that gives Prime Minister Theresa May the right to
start the process of leaving the EU, in accordance with Article 50 of the Lisbon
Treaty. The lower house votes down the two additions that the upper house
adopted earlier in March, and then also votes the upper house for the proposal.
The law is approved by the Queen a few days later. Following the vote in
Parliament, May says she intends to activate Article 50 in March as planned.
New setback for May in the upper house
March 7
With the vote figures 366 against 268, the upper house adopts yet another
addition to the law on how the UK should leave the EU (see March 2,
2017). According to the amendment, Parliament should have the right to
vote on the government's Brexit agreement with the Union. This means that
Parliament would thus have a form of veto power. However, the government
announces that it intends to reintroduce the law in the lower house, in order to
try to remove the addition of the upper house.
The Unionist parties lose their majority in Stormont
March 2
The Unionist parties lose ground in the Northern Ireland election and thus
lose their majority in Stormont, Northern Ireland's parliament for the first
time since it was created in 1921. The DUP retains its place as the largest
party but wins just barely over Sinn Féin which is the only major party to
strengthen their position. When all the votes are counted, it is clear that the
DUP received 28 seats, Sinn Féin 27, SDLP 12 and Ulster's unionist party 10.
(All parties will lose mandate compared to the 2011 election when the number of
parliamentary seats was lost from 108 to 90). The parties now have three weeks
to form a government, which seems to be a complicated process. Sinn Féin still
calls for Northern Ireland's prime minister Arlene Foster's departure (see
January 2017 and December 2016).
The upper house demands information on the rights of EU citizens
March 2
The members of the upper house vote in favor of an amendment to the law that
gives the government the right to activate Article 50. According to the
amendment, which is adopted with 358 against 256, within three months of the
activation, the government must submit proposals on how EU citizens living in
the UK should be guaranteed. the same rights after Brexit as they have today.
Thus, the government is backed by this issue and the ministry responsible for
managing Brexit expresses disappointment at the House's actions. A spokesman for
Prime Minister May says the law should be passed without any supplement. The law
is now sent back to the lower house for a new treatment. Thus, the exit process
is temporarily delayed.
February
Labor loses in Copeland, wins in Stoke-on-Trent
February 24th
Labor manages to retain one of the two mandates that were at stake in two
filling elections. Party candidate Gareth Snell defeats Stoke-on-Trent Central
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall. In Copeland, a Conservative candidate wins for the
first time in over 80 years.
Promises of relief to the Horn of Africa
February 22
Britain promises $ 250 million in emergency aid to South Sudan, where famine
is already prevalent in several parts of the country, and Somalia is threatened
by food shortages.
Britt behind suicide bombing in Iraq
February 21st
A British man and IS member Abu-Zakariya al-Britani (previously believed to
be Ronald Fiddler) as a member of the extremist group IS, is conducting a
suicide attack against Iraqi military base in Tal Gaysum near Mosul in Iraq.
British media report that Fiddler was imprisoned in the US Guantanamo Bay from
2001 to 2003. He is believed to have joined IS 2014.
Program for unaccompanied refugee children ends
February 10
The government's decision to end its special program to receive unaccompanied
refugee children is provoking sharp criticism, including from Anglican
Archbishop Justin Welby. The United Kingdom has thus only received 350 children
from refugee camps in France, Greece and Italy instead of the 3,000 that it was
initially thought would be included in the program. Interior Minister Amber Rudd
claims that the program has only contributed to encouraging smuggling of people
and that the municipalities find it difficult to find housing for the refugee
children. Labor believes that more children could have been accepted if the
local authorities had been given more resources and longer time to prepare for
the reception. During the Second World War, the British rescued 10,000 children
through the so-called Kindertransport program.
The lower house votes to activate Article 50
February 8
The lower house votes again with a clear majority for the UK to activate
Article 50, with 494 votes in favor and 122 against. Clive Lewis, Minister of
Business in Labour's shadow cabinet, votes no and then leaves his post in the
cabinet. Before the process is complete, the bill must also be approved by the
upper house.
Increased support for Scottish independence
February 7
The Scottish Parliament votes overwhelmingly to reject Article 50 (90 members
vote no, 34 vote yes). The vote is non-binding, as the Supreme Court has ruled
that the UK government does not need to consult the regional parliaments for the
planned exit from the EU. At the same time, an opinion poll indicates that
support for Scottish independence is increasing. However, 51 percent of Scots
still oppose breaking ties with the rest of the UK.
Fallon warns of Russian disinformation
February 3
Defense Minister Michael Fallon says that Russia, through disinformation
campaigns, is trying to strengthen its influence by destabilizing Western
governments and weakening NATO.
The government presents white paper for Brexit
February 2
The government presents its White Paper before the Brexit negotiations, in
which it lists 12 important principles: These include the introduction of a new
system for controlling immigration, and that transitional rules should be
introduced to facilitate companies. The new system should also focus on filling
gaps where there is no labor and to receive "real" students. But the goal is
also to find a solution as soon as possible to what will happen to EU citizens
living in the UK and Britons living in other EU countries. The Government also
emphasizes that it wants to find the most flexible solution possible for the
border guard between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Another point is that
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales should be given greater powers as more
decisions are made in the UK rather than in Brussels.
The lower house provides the clear sign for the Brexit process
February 1st
The House of Commons votes after two days of intense debate for the Brexit
process to begin. 498 members vote in favor and 114 against. Almost all
Conservative members follow the party line. In Labor, where party leader Corbyn
urged everyone to vote yes in respect of the outcome of the referendum, 47
members choose to go against the party line. This was the first step in the
legislative process, which is expected to be completed by March 7.
January
May criticizes Trump, with some hesitation
January 29th
Prime Minister May receives sharp criticism for not clearly renouncing the US
president's decision to temporarily halt all US refugee reception and ban people
from seven mostly Muslim countries, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan Yemen and
Libya into the United States. Something that also includes people with dual
citizenship. In a first statement, she says that it is the US thing to decide
for itself what refugee policy the country wants to pursue, but later states
that she does not agree with him. Later comes a sharper statement from Foreign
Minister Boris Johnson. It is now said that the travel restrictions do not
include British citizens born in any of the seven countries. At the same time, a
name gathering is being made demanding that Trump's invitation to visit the UK
be withdrawn.
Defense cooperation with Turkey
January 29th
May travels from the United States to Turkey where she and President Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan agree that their countries will jointly develop a new Turkish
fighter aircraft. The deal is worth around £ 100 million. The purpose of the
trip is to strengthen contacts with Turkey ahead of the UK exit.
May first out with Trump in the White House
January 27
Theresa May becomes the first foreign head of government to visit US new
President Donald Trump. Before the meeting, she stresses, as British Prime
Ministers usually do, the special relationship of the United Kingdom and the
United States, but the most important thing in the long term is to strengthen
trade between the countries (as long as the UK is an EU member, the country has
no right to conclude any new trade agreement with the US). The day before the
meeting, she speaks to members of the Republican Party in Philadelphia, where
she both touches on what the countries have in common and addresses what could
become disputes such as relations with NATO and Russia. At a joint press
conference the following day, May emphasizes that Trump is 100 percent behind
NATO. May and Trump emphasize the importance of holding a dialogue, but also say
they disagree on several issues. Trump is also invited to visit the UK.
Continued economic growth
January 26
The UK economy continues to grow. Growth for 2016 lands at 2 percent, only
slightly worse than 2015. According to Finance Minister Hammond, the fall in the
pound has created a boost for British exports. Private consumption has also
increased.
HD: Parliament needs to be consulted on EU exit
January 24th
The Supreme Court decides that the government must allow Parliament to vote
before it can activate Article 50. However, the court disagrees. Eight judges
support the ruling, while three are of a different opinion. However, all eleven
judges agree that the government does not need to consult the parliaments in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
May is charged with mystery making before voting on Trident
January 23
Criticism is directed at Prime Minister May after the The Sunday Times
newspaper accused her of keeping secret that a trial with a Trident missile
failed in June 2016 ahead of the vote on a renewal of the British nuclear
weapons system on July 18, 2016. It's about a missile that did not fire
direction it should. Similar test shoots have been successfully conducted in
2000, 2005, 2009 and 2012.
Michelle O'Neill replaces McGuinness in Northern Ireland
January 19
Martin McGuinness, who has resigned as deputy prime minister in Northern
Ireland, announces that he will not run in the Northern Ireland re-election on
March 2. Four days later, Michelle O'Neill is appointed as his successor. She
thus takes over the leadership of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland.
'UK should leave the common market'
January 17
In a speech, Theresa May sticks out her line before the Brexit negotiations.
One of the main points is that the UK should leave the EU's common market,
another that Parliament should be allowed to vote on an exit agreement. May also
wishes that freedom of passport should continue to prevail between Ireland and
the UK, that the parties should agree on a new customs agreement but that the
British should conclude their own trade agreements with countries not part of
the Union, and that it should be possible to control what rights as EU citizens
should have in the UK and vice versa. The goal is that the UK and the EU should
be able to agree on a new agreement on an equal basis, but that it should not be
designed as the agreements that the EU has concluded with, for example, Norway
and Switzerland.
New elections in Northern Ireland in March
January 16
Attempts to resolve the crisis in Northern Ireland are unsuccessful and new
elections are announced until 2 March. However, a reduction in the number of
members of the provincial parliament, from 108 to 90, is expected to hit small
parties. The measure has previously been decided to save money.
Government crisis in Northern Ireland
January 9
Deputy Prime Minister Martin McGuinness resigns. He justifies the decision
that Prime Minister Arlene Foster refused, even temporarily, to step aside,
while investigating the so-called cash-for-ash scandal (see December
2016). It is speculated as to whether the departure is justified for
health reasons, but McGuinness points out that Sinn Fein does not intend to
appoint a successor. According to the peace agreement, this means that Foster
will also lose his post. Representatives of the British and Irish Governments
urge the parties to hold talks to resolve the crisis and avoid new elections. If
they do not agree within seven days, new elections are the only option.
The UK's EU ambassador resigns
January 3rd
The government suffers a setback when Britain's EU ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers
resigns just a few months before negotiations for the EU exit are to begin. He
is considered one of the most experienced civil servants in the EU. However, his
departure is welcomed by Brexit advocates, especially since his farewell letter
to his staff leaks to the press. There he urges them to state their opinion if
the government's proposals do not hold up. He has previously been criticized for
saying that it may take up to 10 years for a trade agreement with the EU to lock
down.
The economy is growing
January 2
High private consumption in the fall of 2016 means that the UK economy
continues to grow, despite the imminent EU exit. In the third quarter of 2016,
growth was 0.6 percent. Estimates warn that this will not continue, as household
incomes are only increasing at a slow rate, largely due to higher taxes and
lower subsidy levels, and that rising inflation means that they will receive
less money for new purchases.
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